ant-eaters
Sticky-tongued insectivores
Ant-eaters are mammals that feed primarily on ants and termites, using long sticky tongues to extract insects from nests.
The term usually refers to the toothless species native to Central and South America, though it extends to unrelated animals with similar diets—pangolins, echidnas, and aardvarks.
Also spelled anteater.
Burrowing insectivore with tubular snout
- pangolinScale-covered ant-eating mammal
- echidnaEgg-laying spined mammal
- numbatAustralian termite-eating marsupial
- snoutBeast's protruding face
tongue · insectivore · claws · burrow · termites · sticky tongue · toothless · armadillo
Oral muscle for taste
- snoutBeast's protruding face
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- elongated skullArtificially lengthened cranium
- bushy tailDense-furred rear appendage
Seeking wild food sources
- diggingRemoving earth below
- lickingTongue contact repeatedly
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
nocturnal · territorial · rearing up · swiping · sniffing · rooting · slow movement · swimming
At risk of extinction
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
- roadkillVehicle-struck animal remains
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
wildlife trafficking · CITES · sanctuary · rehabilitation · rainforest destruction · bushmeat · illegal trade · protected species
aardvark
Burrowing insectivore with tubular snout
- pangolinScale-covered ant-eating mammal
- echidnaEgg-laying spined mammal
- numbatAustralian termite-eating marsupial
snout · tongue · insectivore · claws · burrow · termites · sticky tongue · toothless · armadillo · sloth
tongue
Oral muscle for taste
- snoutBeast's protruding face
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- elongated skullArtificially lengthened cranium
bushy tail · small eyes · poor eyesight · keen smell · curved claws
foraging
Seeking wild food sources
solitary · nocturnal · territorial · rearing up · swiping · sniffing · rooting · slow movement · swimming
endangered
At risk of extinction
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
- roadkillVehicle-struck animal remains
deforestation · wildlife trafficking · CITES · sanctuary · rehabilitation · rainforest destruction · bushmeat · illegal trade · protected species · vulnerable
ant-eatersants
Social colony insects
termites · ant colonies · insect colonies · insects · prey
ant-eatersherbivores
Fauna consuming only plants
grazers · omnivores · carnivores · apex predators · frugivores